Hangin' Tough. Brady Hoke is apparently making Michigan a tougher football team. Or at least he said one form of the word "toughness" or another lot in a news conference on Tuesday. (ESPN)
Be afraid, be very afraid? Should Michigan fans be concerned about recruit Chris Barnett's connections to Baron Flenory, a person of interest in the recent recruiting scandal? Maybe. (M Go Blog)
Former Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi scored a 30 on the Wonderlic Test, which is five points or so what a good QB should get on the test apparently. (Black Heart Gold Pants)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Is the Bruce Pearl era at Tennessee nearing an end? In an interview with Knoxville radio station WNML, Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton says he isn't sure whether or not Pearl, the subject of an NCAA investigation, will return to coach next season.
"Asked point blank if Pearl will be UT’s coach next season, Hamilton said: "We don’t know the answer today. We’ve done a lot of soul searching about the direction of our program and we’ll continue to do that and we’ll decide after we’re out of the NCAA Tournament what direction it is that we’re going to go next."
Hamilton wasn’t specific as to a timetable on determining Pearl’s future.
"That’ll be a decision we make in the short term or we’ll wait and make it a little bit further down the road," Hamilton said. "But the jury is out on what’s going to happen with that at this point. … He knows that, by the way."
Hamilton also said in the interview that Tennessee was unaware of Pearl committing a "bump" violation involving a recruit four days after the coach admitted to lying about about improper contacts with recruits at his home in a press conference until the NCAA reported it to the school.
"The NCAA charged that Pearl committed a "bump" violation four days after a tearful press conference announcing he lied to the NCAA about cookout at his home in 2009. Pearl did not report it to UT because he didn’t think it was a violation.
That apparently hasn’t sat well with Hamilton and the UT administration, which learned of the incident from the NCAA.
If the Volunteer's run in the NCAA Tournament is short. Pearl's tenure at Tennessee might end soon after.
(via Mr. SEC, WNML)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Apparently, spectators at last weekend's Big Ten basketball tournament the option of 11 different kinds of hamburgers and baked potatoes in Conseco Fieldhouse. The baked potato bar being the most surreal of the two. Not to mention most appropriate, as this is the Big Ten we're talking about here. (And yes, Nebraska, you got hosed. You'll have to wait for next year to get yours)
Just hope that Northwestern head football coach wasn't at the tournament. You see a potato bar, he sees an army that he can conquer the world with.
(via SB Nation, Illinois Fighting Illini official athletic site, Off Tackle Empire)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

The Post and Courier's Travis Haney is reporting on Twitter that South Carolina quarterback "Stephen Garcia has been suspended for at least the first week of spring practice." No word on whether this involves Garcia's wild night with five women in an Atlanta hotel room before the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
UPDATE: Haney is reporting on The Post and Courier's website that Garcia and sophomore QB Andrew Clifford have been suspended due "to an incident during the team’s bowl week in Atlanta."
(via Travis Haney on Twitter, The Post and Courier)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

The Post and Courier's Travis Haney is reporting on Twitter that South Carolina quarterback "Stephen Garcia has been suspended for at least the first week of spring practice." No word on whether this involves Garcia's wild night with five women in an Atlanta hotel room before the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
(via Travis Haney on Twitter)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

(Covering Dixie Like Mildew is the SWRT roundup of SEC news, with the occasional pesky Southern school from another conference.)
Five against 63. The SEC sends five representatives to the NCAA Tournament. (Team Speed Kills)
Alabama named a #1 seed in the NIT Tournament. Meaning the Tide gets a chance to be the 69th best team in the college basketball world. (Roll 'Bama Roll)
The best of all possible worlds? Tennessee's first second round match-up against Michigan is described as "The Best Possible Draw for Tennessee." (Rocky Top Talk)
No interest. LSU head men's basketball coach Trent Johnson says he is not interested in currently vacant job at Utah. (LSUSports.net)
Nothing Else Matters. Georgia making the NCAA Tournament matters. It really, really matters. (Dawg Sports)
Least shocking reaction of the day. Former Arkansas men's basketball coach John Pelphrey says he disagreed with his firing. (Arkansas Sports 360)
FOOTBALL
Mark Richt's punishment for Isaiah Crowell recruiting violation? The Gerogia head football coach won't be allowed to call recruits and/or their parents in on the phone in April. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Altered Images. Kevin Scarbinsky says that Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik has to "rebuild Auburn's image" following the arrest of four (now dismissed) players on charges of armed robbery. Like Auburn has an image of being a pillar of piety in the SEC in the first place. (al.com)
Tower of Strength. New Tennessee strength and conditioning coach Ron McKeefery says he is already seeing improvements with in the team's bench press and squats. (ChuckOliver.net)
On to the next one. Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson wants to pick up where Ryan Mallett left off. The fathers of Fayetteville's daughters are probably real happy to hear that. (Rivals.com)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Isaiah Crowell with UGA VI decedent.
The prevailing philosophy in the NCAA seems to be that if you aren't committing recruiting violations, then you aren't trying. Mind you, a coach even breathing the wrong way on a recruit is probably an NCAA violation, so it isn't that hard to do. So give Georgia credit at least for finding a way to commit one while recruiting tailback Isaiah Crowell, and for self-reporting the violation to the NCAA.
"Coach Mark Richt committed a violation when he included Crowell in a simulated “missing man” formation with current Georgia players during Crowell’s visit to campus in January, according to a March 4 letter from UGA athletic director Greg McGarity to the NCAA. The letter was obtained by the AJC and other media outlets today under open-records requests."
Of course, Richt says he didn't know letting Crowell get involved in a simulated formation was a recruiting violation...sort of.
"According to the letter, Richt knew it would be against NCAA rules to use equipment or run a play involving a recruit, but did not know the limited Jan. 23 activity was against the rules. The SEC subsequently informed Georgia that the incident constituted a violation of the NCAA rule against “game day simulation” for prospects."
Richt claiming that he didn't know he was committing an NCAA violation may have been a cheesy move, but he's one of the few SEC coaches who you could actually take his explanation on face value...almost.
UPDATE: As punishment for the Crowell recruiting violation, Richt is "barred from phoning recruits and their parents" in April, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
(via Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Isaiah Crowell with UGA VI decedent.
The prevailing philosophy in the NCAA seems to be that if you aren't committing recruiting violations, then you aren't trying. Mind you, a coach even breathing the wrong way on a recruit is probably an NCAA violation, so it isn't that hard to do. So give Georgia credit at least for finding a way to commit one while recruiting tailback Isaiah Crowell, and for self-reporting the violation to the NCAA.
"Coach Mark Richt committed a violation when he included Crowell in a simulated “missing man” formation with current Georgia players during Crowell’s visit to campus in January, according to a March 4 letter from UGA athletic director Greg McGarity to the NCAA. The letter was obtained by the AJC and other media outlets today under open-records requests."
Of course, Richt says he didn't know letting Crowell get involved in a simulated formation was a recruiting violation...sort of.
"According to the letter, Richt knew it would be against NCAA rules to use equipment or run a play involving a recruit, but did not know the limited Jan. 23 activity was against the rules. The SEC subsequently informed Georgia that the incident constituted a violation of the NCAA rule against “game day simulation” for prospects."
Richt claiming that he didn't know he was committing an NCAA violation may have been a cheesy move, but he's one of the few SEC coaches who you could actually take his explanation on face value...almost.
(via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

(Big Tentacles is the SWRT look at the Big Ten and the schools it not-so-secretly covets.)
It's Selection Sunday, so what better time to talk about what really matters - football.
First, we'll harass all the lawyers. Christopher Cicerom the lawyer who told Jim Tressel about the "Tat 5" scandal says he has gotten death threats since his story went public this week. And they say Big Ten fans aren't as insane as SEC fans. (Rivals.com)
Next, we'll run Kurt Herbstreit out of town. Insane Ohio State fans have finally forced Kurt Herbstreit to move to Nashville. (Dr. Saturday)
Ohio State should fire Jim Tressel. Because a Michigan blog says so. Least. Shocking. Reaction. Ever. From. An. University. Of. Michigan. Blog. (Maize and Blue Nation)
Revenge is a dish best served with Wolverines. Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson says the Wolverines have to "get back" at rivals Ohio State and Michigan State. (Detroit Free Press)
Saying hello to the new neighbors. A Wisconsin "Howdy" to the new Big Ten member Nebraska. (Off Tackle Empire)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

It looks like Florida is going to win the race between the school and Alabama in which SEC member school can erect a statue the fastest. Florida has announced that the unveiling of the statues of the school's three Heisman Trophy winners, Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, and Tim Tebow, will be at halftime during the Gator's April 9 spring game. This beats Alabama's plan to unveil its statue of BCS championship winning coach Nick Saban on April 16, at the Crimson Tide's spring game.
It looks like Alabama will have to console itself with the title of scariest statue in the SEC, if not the actual South. (I'd say the ugliest, too. But the hideous statue of Athena in Nashville's Parthenon replica beats it hands down.)
(via ChuckOliver.net, EDSBS)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Oh noes! The four (now former) Auburn players arrested for armed robbery have gone and broken the Fulmer Cup! (EDSBS)
Auburn punk'd by ESPNU? ESPNU decides to air Alabama's April 16 spring game instead of Auburn's. (ChuckOliver.net)
Tough job. New Tennessee linebacker coach Peter Sirmon is facing some big holes to fill on the Vol's 2011 squad. (Go Vols Xtra)
Walk On. Former Boise State back quarterback MikeTamburo has decided to transfer to Georgia, and try to make the team as a walk-on. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Time for a cool change. LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger looks for a fresh start in the SEC after being dismissed from Georgia and playing at Butler Community College last season. (USA Today)
Take It To the Limit. The Arkansas coaching staff is making its players face their limitations on a daily basis to help the players overcome them. (Arkansas Sports 360)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

(Big Tentacles is the SWRT look at the Big Ten and the schools it not-so-secretly covets.)
We Love You. Bobby Knight, Rich Rodriguez, and Brady Hoke are standing behind Jim Tressel. (Dr. Saturday)
Let's make the best of the situation. Who in the Big Ten will benefit the most from Tressel and the "Tat Five's" suspensions? Michigan State is the only Big Ten team the Buckeyes will face during the Terrelle Pryor and company's suspension. Then the player's return just in time to meet the Big Ten's new best friend, Nebraska. Illinois is the first of the Buckeye's "Leaders" division-mates to step up to the plate. (Lake the Posts)
Two Michigan State football players walk into a bar. No, this one doesn't end well. Max Bullough and Brian Linthicum were arrested for "underage possession of alcohol" (Bullough), "assault in the third degree" (Linthicum), and "eluding officers" (both). (Rivals.com)
A prickly relationship. Nebraska head football coach Bo Pelini hasn't too keen dealing with the media in the past, but he seemed to be cordial during his spring practice press conference. (Corn Nation)
Keeping it simple. Nebraska plans to simplify its offense in 2011. (Rivals.com)
Jersey Orange. Syracuse agrees to play ten additional games in the Meadowlands Stadium between 2019 and 2038, along with the four already scheduled games the Orange are to play there. (Rivals.com)
BASKETBALL
Let's Stay Together. Minnesota is working on a contract extension with head men's basketball coach Tubby Smith. (ESPN)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

Tressel from back in the day when he and Circuit City still had a level of respect.
If you think Jim Tressel's recent actions lying to the NCAA about what and when he knew about "Tatgate" at Ohio State are troubling, you're not alone. But to legendary former Oklahoma head football coach Barry Switzer, it's not even a drop in the bucket.
"Jim Tressel's situation, that's jaywalking to me," said former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer. "These things don't surprise me. This stuff has gone on forever."
Switzer's remarks came in an article in The Wall Street Journal on the Internet's involvement in bringing to light recent college scandals such involving Ohio State, Oregon, and North Carolina.
(via The Wall Street Journal)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles

College football has crossed over into the cooking world multiple times, but this one has to be the both one of the weirdest cases (as well as one of the most politically incorrect) possible. The Fat Little Girlfriends Cookbook has been published by Team Leach, the group of supporters of former Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach.
Team Leach was on Facebook organized after Leach's firing over the incident involving locking player Adam James in an electrical shed. It's evolved into an online community to the point where it has created a scholarship in the embattled coach's name at Texas Tech for would-be coaches. Now Team Leach has put together the Fat Little Girlfriends cookbook as a fundraiser for the scholarship. The title inspired by Leach's infamous remark about his player's listening to their "fat little girlfriends."
Leach himself has written a forward to the cookbook, where he explained the origins of the idea, and to thank his supporters.
"To raise money, a fantastic woman named Kerry Morrison came up with the idea of putting together this cookbook. That’s when the press conference from the A&M game came up. “Let’s call it the Fat Little Girlfriends Cookbook,” Morrison told her friends on Team Leach. It stuck, and the work on the cookbook began."
Sadly, there are no examples of the recipes that are in the book online. There's a joke or two to be made musing on how you cook a "fat little girlfriend," but I won't do it here. The book is available for $20.00, plus taxes, shipping and handling, with the proceeds going to the Mike Leach Scholarship Fund.
(via Dr. Saturday)
Originally Pubished at: Shirts With Random Triangles